Fu Chengwang sneered, "He's just a bunch of scumbags."
Li Xingye said unhappily, "Master Fu's prejudice against Zhao Lin is too deep."
Fu Chengwang said disdainfully: "It's not that I am biased against him, but this boy has evil intentions."
Li Xingye angrily said, "If your mind is not right, how can you see the harm of the Flower and Stone Gang?"
Fu Chengwang sneered, "It's because of his evil intentions that he can see the harm in this. Those corrupt officials know how to embezzle money better than we do. And last time he brought up the matter of Guo Maoliang's death, and now he's repeatedly giving you advice. Isn't he just trying to use you to climb the ladder? Don't say you can't see it."
Li Xingye shook his head repeatedly and sighed, "Your prejudice is hopeless. Your daughter is more accurate than you."
Fu Chengwang snorted and said, "You are just deceiving my young daughter because she is young and ignorant."
Li Xingye laughed: "If I'm not mistaken, Zhao Lin is one year younger than your daughter, right?"
Fu Chengwang said, "My daughter has been in the mansion for a long time and doesn't know how treacherous people are. It's normal for her to be deceived."
Li Xingye angrily said, "So there's nothing to discuss?"
Fu Chengwang was equally angry and said, "Just do your job as prefect and handle the Flower and Stone Gang well. As for my daughter's marriage, Lord Li, please don't worry about it. Goodbye!"
Fu Chengwang turned away in anger.
"This old stubborn man!" Li Xingye cursed.
In terms of age, Li Xingye is a dozen years younger than Fu Chengwang, so it is reasonable to call him an old stubborn.
"Hmph, you'll regret it someday."
Li Xingye had Zhao Lin called over and said, "Minister Fu came to visit just now, and I mentioned the matter between you and Miss Fu to him..."
Zhao Lin didn't expect Li Xingye to actually tell Fu Chengwang about this matter. He said gratefully, "Thank you, sir, for remembering this little thing of yours."
Li Xingye sighed, "No need to thank me. Minister Fu is too stubborn. He's both stubborn and paranoid. He thinks you have ulterior motives and are not a good person. You... you'd better be mentally prepared as soon as possible."
Zhao Lin also sighed, but he didn't look discouraged at all. He bowed and said, "Thank you, sir. I believe that one day, sir, you will truly recognize me."
Li Xingye nodded and said, "It's best if you think this way. The Flower and Stone Gang incident is a great opportunity. As long as you do well, His Majesty will definitely not be stingy with rewards. He will at least recommend you to the position of county magistrate."
Although people usually call him a seventh-rank official, the position of county magistrate is very high. As the head of a county, even if one wins the top spot in the imperial examination, he may not be able to become a county magistrate immediately.
Li Xingye dared to say this because he was very optimistic about Zhao Lin.
Zhao Lin said: "Students must do their best."
Li Xingye said, "The imperial edict has been passed down. From now on, the national collection of flowers and stones will begin. You will have to work hard."
"I am willing to serve you, sir." Zhao Lin said.
Zhao Lin unexpectedly became Li Xingye's deputy together with Bai Shiyuan, responsible for inspecting the collection of flowers and stones in various places. When the news spread, it soon caused an uproar.
It was not surprising that Bai Shiyuan was in charge of such an important position, after all, he was a favorite of the emperor.
However, Zhao Lin, such a small figure and a minor scholar, was actually entrusted with such an important task by Li Xingye. Some people immediately expressed their dissatisfaction.
"What is Li Xingye doing?"
A disgruntled voice echoed from within a heavily guarded mansion: "It's fine to let Bai Shiyuan do that kind of thing, but why let that Zhao Lin do it? Does he value Zhao Lin that much?"
"Your Highness, it is said that Zhao Lin explained to Li Xingye the dangers posed by the Flower and Stone Gang and urged him to take the initiative to ask the Emperor to take over the matter. That is why he valued him and gave him this assignment."
"Zhao Lin brought up Guo Maoliang's death again, causing me to not only be criticized by my father but also to throw the blame on several officials. This time, I must take revenge on him."
"Your Highness, please calm down. I think Zhao Lin is worth recruiting."
"Recruit?"
"That's right. As everyone knows, Zhao Lin has a clean background and is capable. We need someone like him."
"Him? Is he worthy?"
"Li Xingye values him so highly, he must be capable. We may not trust Zhao Lin, but we should trust Li Xingye. And by recruiting him, we can have a hand in the Flower and Stone Gang. Otherwise, with Li Xingye and Bai Shiyuan, it would be difficult for us to take action."
"You are right. If he is willing to work for this prince, I can spare his life."
"I will go find him right away."
In the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Li Jingxian and a group of Eastern Palace officials were discussing something.
Everyone knows the benefits contained in the Hua Shi Gang.
There are so many things that can be done with the help of collecting the Hua Shi Gang, even Li Jingxian wants to get involved.
However, Li Xingye has always been upright and impartial. He hates those who are corrupt and break the law the most. Even Li Jingxian dare not provoke him.
As for Bai Shiyuan, he is not currently a member of the prince's family, so it is naturally difficult to take action against him.
Then it can only be Zhao Lin.
"If Zhao Lin is willing to serve this prince and does a good job, this prince can not only consider pardoning his crime, but also give him some benefits. For example, after the palace examination is over, I can help him arrange a quota for external appointment and let him serve as a county magistrate." Li Jingxian promised.
…
"Zhao Lin really surprised me."
In Prince Yu's mansion, Prince Yu Li Jingzhong was also discussing with his staff.
However, Li Jingxian's subordinates can be called ministers of the Eastern Palace, while Li Jingzhong's subordinates can only be staff.
Li Jingzhong laughed and said, "He's only sixteen years old, yet he possesses such skills. Even the ruthless Li Xingye entrusted him with such an important task. He's clearly very capable. We can't miss out on such a person."
One of the subordinates said, "Shall I go find him right away?"
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